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APC Top Leaders Declare Support for Fubara Amid Renewed Rift with Wike

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coic
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As political tensions between Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State, and Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, increase, top leaders of the All Progressives Congress have thrown their support behind Fubara.

Ajibola Basiru, the APC’s National Secretary, affirmed the party’s support for Fubara’s administration and second-term campaign.

“No APC governor can be frustrated. Like other APC governors, Fubara is effectively managing his state’s affairs, Basiru told Sunday PUNCH.

Recall that on December 9, 2025, Fubara formally left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the APC, which many believe was a calculated ploy to win reelection.

His political base inside the party was further strengthened when 17 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly defected to the APC after his transition.

Nentawe Yilwatda, the APC National Chairman, reinforced party support by characterizing Fubara as the party’s leader in Rivers State.

During an appearance on Channels Television’s “Hard Copy” program on Friday, Yilwatda stated, “Governor Fubara is the leader of the APC in Rivers State, but he would need to coordinate with every other person in the state.”

The governor’s conflict with Wike, who maintains that Fubara’s second term is unclear, has escalated as a result of the governor’s ascent within the APC.

Wike warned against “opportunistic politics” and accused the governor of breaking their peace agreement.

The FCT minister stated, “Fubara’s defection to the APC does not make him the party leader in Rivers,” at his monthly media conference. I continue to be the state’s political leader. Ward structures and local administrations are still under the authority of our supporters.

In an oblique response, Fubara claimed to have been the victim of blackmail during a public event that was broadcast on Arise TV.

The dog only barks when it doesn’t comprehend. We have everything lined up to ensure a smooth travel, and we know where we are heading,” he said.

Party Insiders Disregard Wike’s Allegations
Wike does not have the power to determine Fubara’s political future, an unknown APC national officer informed Sunday Punch.

He refuted Wike’s assertion of political supremacy in Rivers, stating that the FCT minister’s claim to be in control of Rivers State is untrue.

“Wike is only stressing himself needlessly because the President, not him, will ultimately make the choice over Rivers. Wike is not as well-liked as he says he is. In the most recent election, he lost to the Labour Party and lost his polling place. He is only fortunate that the President felt that he (Wike) was helpful in combating the opposition. The victory over Rivers State was difficult.

“Fubara is an APC governor, and the party consistently receives significant support from the APC Governors’ Forum. We will respect the governors and provide them with the required assistance in accordance with our party’s standards,” he declared.

The official stated that the APC would not impose candidates when asked if Fubara would receive an automatic ticket for a second term.

However, the national officer clarified that any governor running for reelection would have a better chance than new candidates.

When a sitting governor runs as an incumbent, the odds are always in their favor. Unless important national stakeholders disagree, it is a basic political issue. A governor who is currently in office has a greater chance than those who are just entering the race.

According to Rivers, the state is essentially turning into an APC one-party state. Some people bought forms to run against the governor even in Ekiti State, but some of them were not properly nominated. The governor was chosen as a consensus choice, and the others who made it through resigned,” he continued.

Additionally, Basiru stated to Punch that the party supported Fubara.

He pointed out that the National Working Committee of the APC was tasked with mobilizing the governors and fortifying the party’s national organization.

“He is running the government, building projects, and commissioning projects,” he stated. The party needs to identify with him as one of its members. We relate to him because of this. Therefore, I don’t want to get involved in any other politics.

What I do know is that he is a governor on our party’s platform and that President Bola Tinubu has nominated him to serve on a key committee. Not everyone will be pleased with you, just like in any given situation, but it doesn’t matter. God is the source of power, and the people will decide where they want to go when the time is right.

However, we still have an obligation as a party to support every governor. I still feel obligated to support and identify with every member of our party. I go to every event and program that my party participates in. I will undoubtedly bolster and assist our party.

In response to comments made by Victor Giadom, the National Vice Chairman of the APC, South-South Zone, Basiru advised APC leaders not to disparage any of the party’s governors.

“I find it regrettable that a governor in our party was referred to as a “so-called governor of Rivers State” by a NWC member who serves as the Vice Chairman of the APC’s South-South zone. It is inappropriate for someone in such a delicate position, regardless of his allegiances, and nobody should support it.

“You cannot term an elected governor a “so-called governor” to appease anyone, even if the governor is not a member of our party. Regardless of political disagreements or hostility between them, the governor’s office is an exalted position, and whoever holds it must be respected,” he stated.

The President, the APC NWC, and the National Executive Committee all supported Fubara and other governors, according to APC Deputy National Organizing Secretary Duru Eze.

Additionally, he confirmed that Fubara and the others will have the same rights and benefits as any party member.

President Bola Tinubu is the party’s leader. Every governor who joined the party initially signed our manifesto and the APC’s constitution.

Additionally, they enjoy the support of the President and, consequently, the party’s NEC and NWC. Thus, Fubara, other governors, and others will have all the assistance they need to be successful,” he continued.

Bala Ibrahim, the party’s director of publicity, added that Fubara will benefit from the party’s backing.

“All governors, including Fubara, are joining the APC as a result of President Bola Tinubu’s accomplishments under the Renewed Hope Agenda. They are backing both the party and the president.

As a result, he said, “they will enjoy all the necessary support at all levels because they are now part of the progressives working for the development of Nigeria.”

I’m Happy and Waiting for Him — Natasha Responds to Yahaya Bello’s Senatorial Ambition

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coic
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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has downplayed worries that Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, could run for the Kogi Central Senatorial seat in 2027.

According to reports, she stated that she is not bothered by the move and that if he enters the race, she is willing to run again.

“We don’t see it as a threat,” she stated, speaking through Mike Idoko, her Special Advisor on Media. Actually, we’re glad he wants to run. We’re awaiting them.

After a protracted legal battle, Akpoti-Uduaghan was elected in 2023 to represent Kogi Central in the Senate.

She was the district’s first female senator and a lawyer who had previously run for governor.

It is understood that Bello recently showed interest while visiting the Ohinoyi palace in Ebiraland, where he met with religious leaders, traditional rulers, and community leaders.

His verified Facebook page later shared a video of the visit last week.

Ahmed Usman Ododo, the governor of Kogi State, was present at the event along with other prominent political figures.

Bello was reportedly pushed by party leaders and attendees to represent the district in the National Assembly in 2027.

Presidency Ridicules Peter Obi Over Move to ADC

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coic
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Sunday Dare, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Advisor on Media and Public Communication, has chastised former presidential candidate Peter Obi for joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The presidential assistant said that the defection was unimportant in a statement titled “Imprisoned by ambition: Welcome to 2027, Peter Obi’s reckless misreading of politics and power.”

He insisted that Nigeria’s political landscape will not be significantly affected by Obi’s departure from the Labour Party (LP) to the ADC.

He claimed that Obi’s transfer to the ADC was met with apathy, pointing out that it was consistent with a pattern Nigerians had previously witnessed.

He said that Obi’s political narrative was tiresome and that the move to ADC signaled the end of a tried-and-true approach rather than a new one.

Additionally, Dare charged Obi with taking advantage of the occasion to launch standard assaults on President Tinubu, whom he characterized as having far more political clout, expertise, and historical significance.

He claimed that instead than using populist rhetoric, public outbursts, or manipulation, Tinubu leads through governance and policy.

Obi’s presidential ambitions were not backed by solid democratic credentials or a well-crafted national coalition that represents Nigeria’s political variety, according to the presidential aide, who said that Obi’s remarks revealed a misguided sense of self-importance.

Ahead of 2027 Polls, Kwankwaso Weighs Move to ADC

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coic
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Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and a former governor of Kano State, is apparently thinking about joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as opposition leaders reposition themselves ahead of the 2027 national elections.

According to local Kano newspapers, Kwankwaso is in talks with ADC to establish a coalition with Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential contender, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

The negotiations take place in the midst of indications that a large portion of Kwankwaso’s Kano political structure is shifting in favor of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). It is said that this shift encompasses his devoted fans, members of the Kwankwasiyya movement.

Even though Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf is anticipated to defect to the APC, which is thought to have caused tension within the Kwankwasiyya camp, negotiations are allegedly still going on.

The party is willing to welcome Kwankwaso in Kano, according to Habib Hisham, a former NNPP chieftain who has now joined ADC. The 2027 polls would be greatly impacted by such a union, he continued.

“I know our party leaders are working on bringing Kwankwaso to join the ADC,” he said. We’ll be delighted to have him.

Gunmen Abduct Doctor and Brother in Edo on New Year’s Day

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coic
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In Auchi, the administrative center of Etsako West Local Government Area in Edo State, gunmen suspected of being kidnappers kidnapped a doctor named Abu Ibrahim Babatunde and his brother, Abu Tahir.

The two were reportedly abducted on Thursday, January 1, 2026, New Year’s Day, at around 7:30 p.m. from their home on City Pride Road in the Ibira camp area.

According to reports, the physician is undergoing housemanship at Auchi’s Edo State Teaching Hospital.

It was discovered that when coming from work, the victims were abducted at gunpoint in front of their home.

A source claims that about 7:30 p.m., the doctor and his younger brother arrived at their home.

When the shooters, who were supposedly waiting, came out of cover, Tahir, the younger brother, got out of the car to unlock the gate.

He claimed, “The two brothers were kidnapped by the gunmen and whisked into the nearby bush.”

Operatives have been sent to the scene, according to the Edo State Police Command authorities, who have confirmed the event.

On January 2, 2026, at approximately 8:30 p.m., the command got a distress call regarding the kidnapping, according to ASP Eno Ikoedem, the command’s public relations officer.

In order to rescue the victims, a coordinated manhunt including the police, local vigilantes, forest guards, and Community Safety Partnership Volunteers who are familiar with the area has been begun, according to Ikoedem. Operatives were sent to the spot almost away.

Since the event, “aggressive search-and-rescue operations have been ongoing in the surrounding forest with efforts focused on rescuing the victims and apprehending the perpetrators,” she continued.

She promised that every effort would be made by the command to guarantee the victims’ safe rescue.

In the meantime, Auchi community members have denounced the kidnapping of the doctor and his brother, calling the event unpleasant and unsettling.

The locals believed that the young physician’s only transgression was helping people, despite characterizing him as a composed, devoted young professional committed to saving lives.

However, they urged security services, the Edo State Government, and other pertinent authorities to move quickly to ensure the victims’ safe and unconditional release.

Muslim Leaders Caution Netanyahu Against Visiting Nigeria

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coic
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After Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel would join the United States in fighting attacks on Christians in Nigeria, certain Muslim leaders in Nigeria have cautioned him against meddling in the country’s affairs.

In a Christmas Day letter to Christian Zionist supporters, Netanyahu said that Israel would create a new front to defend Christians who are being persecuted in nations including Nigeria, Syria, Lebanon, and Turkey.

The Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) responded on Friday, calling it ironic that Netanyahu would talk about combating terrorism in Nigeria while, in its opinion, carrying out acts of terror against Palestinians.

“Netanyahu’s statement that he would join President Trump of America in fighting terrorism in Nigeria is unfortunate,” stated Professor Wole Abbas, Executive Secretary of MUSWEN. His treatment of Palestinians in Gaza is nearly as terrible as terrorism. The International Court of Justice has declared this individual to be wanted.

“He continues to commit acts of genocide in Gaza and wishes to assist in resolving the same in Nigeria. What we are seeing in the globe right now is beyond my comprehension. Netanyahu need to be detained and charged with genocide because he is a criminal.

Bashir Ahmad, a former presidential assistant, declined Netanyahu’s offer of assistance as well. Ahmad claimed in a post on X that any foreign military action, including airstrikes, in Nigeria was needless and a breach of the nation’s sovereignty.

ADC Condemns Tinubu Over NNPC Debt Cancellation as ‘Unconstitutional’

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coic
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President Bola Tinubu’s recent decision to waive legacy debts owed to the Federation Account by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has been denounced by the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The party denounced the executive action, which involves removing over $1.42 billion (USD) and N5.57 trillion (NGN) in legacy NNPC loans from public records, in a statement released on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi.

According to reports, the order handles commitments resulting from production sharing arrangements, domestic supply obligations, royalty receivables, and other legacy accounts. It covers outstanding liabilities accumulating up to December 31, 2024.

According to the ADC, 88% of legacy balances denominated in naira and approximately 96% of legacy commitments denominated in dollars were wiped off by executive decree without the consent of the legislature or constitutional authority.

According to the party, the rationale of “reconciliation” is insufficient to supersede the constitutional mandates for revenue sharing.

Executive discretion has no bearing on the Federation Account. The statement said, “No President, including this one, has the unilateral authority to cancel revenues that are constitutionally due.”

“It is unconstitutional for any cancellation to lower revenue owed to State and Local Governments without legislative authority.”

The National Assembly’s approval of the action, according to the party, amounts to “active collusion or willful surrender.”

The ADC claims that such acts violate the Constitution and may give rise to impeachment proceedings.

“President Tinubu has consistently broken the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Constitution.”

Abdullahi underlined, “The Federation Account belongs to all tiers of government and cannot be subject to the Federal Executive or the President’s discretion.”

Stressing that Nigeria is a country of laws, not of men, the ADC has urged all pertinent authorities to defend the Constitution and safeguard the interests of states and local governments.

NAF Airstrikes Deal Heavy Blow to Terrorist Networks in North-East and North-West

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coic
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According to the Nigerian Air Force, through a series of planned, intelligence-led missions, its soldiers have maintained an unremitting air interdiction campaign against terrorist elements.

The joint task forces of Operations HADIN KAI and FASAN YAMMA SECTOR 2 conducted the operations throughout the North-East and North-West, according to a statement from Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force.

“Acting on actionable intelligence on terrorist intent, movement, and logistics, NAF air assets were decisively employed to strike identified hideouts, movement routes, and assembly areas,” the statement said.

It added that well hidden terrorist enclaves at Abirma and Chiralia within the Timbuktu Triangle were the target of multiple precision strikes in the North-East theater.

Targeted buildings were demolished by the strikes, and numerous secondary explosions were seen, which was an obvious sign that explosive stocks and vital supplies had been eliminated.

The statement said, “Further interdiction operations at Guva in the Mandara Mountains further dismantled terrorist storage and coordination nodes, severely degrading their ability to regroup, resupply, or mount attacks during the festive period and beyond.”

According to the statement, the campaign was concurrently expanded into the North-West with a decisive air interdiction mission around Karaduwa Giginya Na in Katsina State’s Matazu Local Government Area. The mission tracked terrorist movement on large motorcycle convoys and engaged them at a forested convergence point.

Nigerian Depot Owners Hike Fuel Prices Ahead of Dangote Refinery Maintenance

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coic
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Due to the purported planned closure of Dangote Refinery’s petrol unit for maintenance and upgrades, a number of Nigerian petroleum product depot owners and marketers have raised their ex-depot petrol prices.

Major depot owners are now selling for about N800 per liter, up from between N740 and N780, according to a Saturday check. In contrast, Dangote and Aiteo sold N702 and N740 per liter, respectively, in Ranoil, Optima, AYM Shafa, and other depots.

The Dangote Refinery’s announced planned turnaround maintenance is connected to the most recent increase in ex-depot prices.

According to Platts (S&P Global), Devakumar Edwin, Vice President of Dangote Industries, gave the following explanation of the plan: “In most departments, our production levels have gone beyond 100 percent.” To increase overall output, we only need to remove limitations.

As of Saturday afternoon, retail petrol rates at Nigeria’s main filling stations ranged from N739 to N910 per liter.

Harrison Gwamnishu Apologizes to Nigerians Over Poor Resource Management

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coic
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In response to recent accusations that he stole ₦5 million from the ransom intended to free a kidnapped couple in Edo State, Nigerian activist Harrison Gwamnishu has publicly apologized.

Recall that Harrison, who was well-known for helping rescue victims of kidnapping, was detained in December 2025 after being charged with taking a portion of the ransom. On December 19, 2025, the Edo State High Court granted him bail.

Many people, especially social media critic VeryDarkMan, have been criticizing Harrison since his release for allegedly accepting money from people to assist them in resolving their cases but not fulfilling his commitments.

Amid the controversy, Harrison Gwamnishu acknowledged in an Instagram post on Saturday that he had failed to manage the resources provided to him for kidnapping cases.

Additionally, Harrison Gwamnishu acknowledged his error and begged everyone to give him some time to make a refund.

“Good morning. My name is Harrison Gwamnishu,” he said. Today is January 3, 2026, and I’m here to apologize to everyone I may have harmed through the films I’ve created, the postings I’ve published, or in any other manner while performing my duties. With everything going on, you will see that I’m not very good with dragging personalities, and I truly apologize for that.

“I have committed errors. I acknowledge my errors. I have made mistakes in performing my duties and job. I truly apologize for my lack of accountability in handling the resources that may have been assigned to me in certain situations. The woman gave me N600,000 to complete her work, which I completed independently and without consulting her. I’m sorry that someone sent me the money; I think she had faith in me. I apologize, Madame Tudja.

And once Franklin got in touch with me to ask for help with the case, I handed it over to someone. You are aware that we talked about it and the payment schedule. I began paying you on a monthly basis in November, and I have already paid for December and January. Regardless of how difficult it is for me, I will clear all of this money.

“I apologize to anyone I may have offended.” Please DM me if you can, and I assure you that everything will be taken care of. I’m the one who’s wearing the sneaker, I made mistakes, and I’m the one going out right now to apologize to everyone who could find this offensive. It indicates that it’s time for me to apologize when those who supported me while I was incarcerated come out to declare they are no longer with me.

“And I’m here to express my regret to Verydarkman. You have my utmost respect. I have never thought of you as a horrible person since day one. You’ve done a great deal for both me and Nigerians. In the past, you have occasionally contacted me and said, “Someone made a complaint; see how to resolve it.” Even if I made an effort to fix it, I may not have handled it effectively. Thank you for speaking on behalf of Nigerians as well.

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